2005 Dodge Caravan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Dodge Caravan ranks worst among 13 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 537 complaints. Structure & Body issues (driver's seat collapse in crashes) and airbag deployment failures dominate, backed by 4 recalls including two airbag campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 13 Caravan years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 537
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
Top 2005 Dodge Caravan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body216 (40%)
- Electrical System191 (36%)
- Airbags49 (9%)
- Fuel System37 (7%)
- Engine29 (5%)
- Steering28 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (5%)
- Brakes20 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers16 (3%)
- Other15 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver's seat frame collapses or breaks loose during rear-end collisions, sometimes with no prior signs of trouble.
- Front airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including hydroplaning accidents and pole impacts.
- Knee airbag door strikes the driver's legs with force when the airbag deploys.
- Brake pedal goes low before total master cylinder failure, leaving the vehicle without stopping power.
- Lower control arm breaks while driving, causing loss of steering control and wheel damage.
- Seat belt retractor fails to catch properly in a rear-end collision, leaving an occupant unrestrained.
2005 Dodge Caravan recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V008000Jan 11, 2010Airbags308,950 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 dodge caravan, grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, alaska and the district of columbia. The front crash sensors may crack under certain environmental conditions and allow water to enter into the sensor. This can cause the sensor to become inoperative and illuminate the airbag warning light. These sensors were added to enhance the performance of the airbag system in certain frontal crashes.
Risk: If the front crash sensors become inoperative, the driver is immediately alerted by illumination of the airbag warning light and the vehicle should be promptly serviced. Until the vehicle is repaired, the airbags may not provide the enhanced protection in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will replace the front airbag sensors with a new design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety improvement campaign will begin during june 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
- NHTSA 07V192000May 3, 2007Airbags270,958 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Certain minivans are being recalled that were originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the district of columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing. The up-front (uf) air bag sensors that contain brass bushings installed in these vehicles may corrode and crack allowing water to enter the sensor. These sensors provide enhanced air bag performance in certain types of frontal crashes.
Risk: In one of these crashes, with one or both of the vehicle's uf sensors inoperative, the occupants will not benefit from the enhanced air bag protection that these sensors would provide.
Remedy: For vehicles registered in the recall states, dealers will replace the original uf air bag sensors with ones with greater corrosion resistance. Vehicles registered in other states will obtain a lifetime free replacement of any uf sensor that fails. The campaign began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
- NHTSA 06V067000Mar 8, 2006Visibility & Wipers268,800 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
On certain vans and sport utility vehicles, the front windshield wiper motor armature shaft may break.
Risk: During certain operating conditions, loss of front windshield wiping capability could occur, and the driver's vision could be obscured which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper motor free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2006, to dodge durango owners. Minivan owners will be notified during july 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2005 compared with other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Dodge Caravan reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Caravan has the highest complaint index (100) of any Caravan model year in this dataset and is rated Avoid relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Caravan?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 40% of reports, mainly seat frame issues, followed by Electrical System complaints at 36% and Airbag complaints at 9%, the latter tied to 6 crashes.
- Does the 2005 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Caravan covering airbag sensors (two separate campaigns), a windshield wiper motor, and seat belt retractor assembly, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Caravan compare to other model years?
- The 2005 Caravan ranks worst of 13 years with a complaint index of 100, while later years like 2014 (index 17) and 2013 (index 33) rank much better.
- At what mileage do 2005 Caravan problems typically occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 65,000 miles overall, with Structure & Body complaints at 67,000 miles and Airbag complaints around 63,304 miles.